5 Underrated K-Pop Rookie Songs

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K-pop companies introduce rookie groups at such a ferocious rate each year that numerous idols are vying for the spotlight at any one time, with the ultimate ambition of becoming A-listers. This heated competition means that talented performers can sometimes slip under the radar, so without further ado here are my personal choices for the top five underrated rookie songs.

Dawg’loo – “Oh”

Dawg’loo is a four member male vocal group who debuted in January 2015, under Danal Entertainment. Not much is currently known about them, except that they have all recorded solo songs and members RuBic and Hyun Jun previously performed with 2Track and DDABAND, respectively. R&B ballad “Oh” has a soulful sound which harkens back to the ‘90s and features stirring, mature vocals from the members. Sadly, no music video was produced for this touching song, but these supremely talented men deserve to be watched closely in the future.

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Awe5some Baby – “Why Should I?”

Awe5some Baby is a five member girl group who made their debut in June 2015, under TN Nation Entertainment. Illustrious ‘90s K-pop stars Tony Ahn (H.O.T) and Kim Jae Duc (Sech Kies) contributed to the formation of Awe5some Baby and consequently the members shine brightly in “Why Should I?” Ranging in age from 17 to 21, the girls display surprisingly accomplished vocals in this funky throwback R&B track, with all the charisma of more seasoned veterans of the genre. Tomboyish leader Jun is the first ever idol beatboxer in a K-pop group, making Awe5some Baby a unique force to be reckoned with!

Bay.B – “Fancy”

Bay.B is a three member girl group who debuted in May 2014, with the company CAN Entertainment. The group’s fourth single “Fancy” is a smooth and sophisticated jazz number, featuring prominent use of a trumpet and melodic piano. Bay.B’s sultry delivery, combined with rapper Wu Tan’s edgy flow, result in a composition that harks back strongly to 1960s Soul and Motown. Unfortunately, this song also has no accompanying music video, but Bay.B’s powerful vocals make “Fancy” well worth a listen.

M.Crown – “Avenue Mumun”

Starpro Entertainment’s seven member boy band, M.Crown, debuted in October 2015. “Avenue Mumun” is a lively song with an infectious up-tempo beat, combined with elements of disco and boy band music of the 1990’s. The music video depicts M.Crown posing on Harley Davidson motorcyles and dancing in a baroque room, alternately wearing both smart and casual clothes. The suggestive choreography during the song’s chorus, combined with the group’s boyish good looks, will no doubt see many takers for M.Crown in the not too distant future!

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VAV – “Under The Moonlight”

In November 2015, AQ Entertainment introduced VAV (Very Awesome Vampire.) This rookie boy band is a cross cultural mix of four Korean and two Chinese members, who were uniquely promoted with a webtoon prior to their official debut. “Under The Moonlight” is an unconventional composition which fuses synthesized ambient music with hip hop, while the song’s music video is beautifully atmospheric and showcases the group’s gothic concept to absolute perfection. All in all, a band with great promise.

What’s your favorite underrated rookie song of the year? Let us know in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

2015 Gift Guide For Fans Of Korean Pop Culture

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EXO ChristmasWhile it seems like the holiday season begins earlier and earlier each year, the Friday after Thanksgiving is the traditional kickoff for those of us living in the United States. Some of you may have already started putting together your wish lists or have started shopping, but in case you are looking for some K-pop or K-drama inspired presents, KultScene has you covered with our 2015 gift guide.

For The K-Beauty Obsessed

Korean masks – $2-$25
This is perhaps the most obvious choice on the list when it comes to K-beauty lovers. Have your choice from any of the masks we tested out earlier this year. Seriously, there’s way too many options out there, so just have your go at whatever happens to catch your eye
Glass Nails – $2
Glass nails are the biggest thing out of Korea since K-pop, and are the trend that we most have our eye on. It’s cheap, and fun, and a great small item to include in any gift basket.102615-korean-glass-nails-lead
Chosungah 22 Flavorful Lipstick in Guava Tint Jello – $18
This is not only a beautiful, well-lasting shade to color your lips with, but the lipstick looks like jello. It may look like jello, but don’t start eating it just because it’s flavored.  The Chosungah 22 product is also a lip balm and has a lot of vitamins to help keep lips smooth.

chosungah22_flavorfullipstick_guavatintjello_900x900 Colored Hair Dye – $7-$$ (drugstore versus professional)
Red, green, pink, blue, galaxy… What color hair do you think you or your loved one deserves to wear next year? Korean stars have surpassed the normal blondes, reds, and browns, and it’s now your turn to help someone get a new ‘do.
The Little Book of Skin Care by Charlotte Cho– $14
The Soko Glam founder published her book earlier this year, following the rise in popularity of K-beauty. This is the newest, most updated guide for getting that special beautiful Korean skin, and what we’re all hoping to get this season.

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Also on KultScene: K-Pop Inspired Gift-Giving Guide

For The Super K-Pop Fans

iTunes Gift Card – $10+
Don’t laugh. Nowadays, there’s Spotify and YouTube to listen to your favorite K-pop tunes on, but nothing beats owning a whole album the day it’s released and listening to it again and again and again.
YG Entertainment Apparel– $5+
This is perfect for any YG-stan out ther, or really anyone who likes some of K-pop’s biggest acts. YG Entertainment, one of South Korea’s largest entertainment agencies, recently started selling their merchandise directly to overseas consumers. Don’t miss out on your chance to get some of your own Big Bang or 2NE1 hoodies, CDs, or more.

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Concert Tickets – $50+
It’s every K-pop fan’s dream to see their favorite idols live. There have been more overseas concerts than ever before in 2015, and A Pink (U.S), INFINITE (U.S), and Beast (Australia) are just some of the few acts going outside of Asia in the near future. If you or anyone you know loves listening, dancing, singing, and breathing K-pop, tickets to a K-pop concert near (or far) is a good gift. Tickets vary in price, but the experience is priceless.
CDs & Concert DVDs – $20+
Even better than songs on your computer or phone are K-pop albums that you can hold and cherish for all eternity (or until you run out of space on your shelves.) K-pop CDs and other sorts of merchandise can be purchased on a variety of websites, so a quick Google search or Amazon search is  sure to turn up a lot of options. Or, if you live near a Korean community, check out their local bookstore and you may be surprised.

For The Fashion Gurus

Retro black chokers – $7
The 90’s are back in full force, and it began first in Korea before coming west earlier this year. The stylish black necklaces (recently seen on EXID) are back and you definitely want to get your hands on one before the trend goes back into the past.

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Beanies a la Siwon in “She Was Pretty” -$10
Anywhere you looked in the second half of the year, it was almost impossible to miss Super Junior’s Siwon being absolutely everywhere. One of his biggest roles was in the drama “She Was Pretty,” and, along with all of the ridiculousness of his character, came one really amazing orange beanie.
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Flared Jeans – $30
Going back to our retro styles that are in, flared jeans join the high-waisted trend that have been in for a while now to great some sort of uber nostalgia jeans. You can get flared jeans from anywhere, but these cute ones from H&M are currently on sale and sure to make anyone look good.

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Also on KultScene: Questions We Have After The End of ‘Sassy Go Go’

For The Foodies

Maangchi’s Cookbook – $17
Want to learn how to cook authentic Korean food? Blogger and YouTuber chef Maangchi released her cookbook “Maangchi’s Real Korean Cooking: Authentic Dishes for the Home Cook” was released in May. So grab a copy and start cooking some of her mouth watering recipes.

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Dolsot pot – $38
If you’re looking for a real Korean cooking expereince, getting one of these authentic Korean stonewear pots is the way to go.

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For The Readers

“A Geek In Korea” $13
Daniel Tudor’s guide to Korea is a great intro to the country you may have been introduced to by K-pop and K-dramas. Here’s your chance to get an inside take on the whole world of Korean pop culture.

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“In Real Life” – $13
Lawrence Tabak’s young adult novel is about E-games, a side of Korean pop culture that usually doesn’t come into contact with fans of Korean music, dramas, and films, but it is a major part of Korean society and a fun read.

in real life esports book tabak
“Hello, I Love You” – $14
Katie M. Stout’s debut novel is all about romance, cultural understanding, K-pop, and idols. What more is there to want?

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Happy holidays from KultScene!

What are you buying this season? Let us know in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

Dok2 & The Quiett Made Us Feel The Link Between Them & Us in Los Angeles

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illionaire dok2 the quiett los angeles

by Yasamine Entesari

The Illionaire show at the Belasco in Los Angeles, CA, last Friday night was the most lit Korean hip hop show year. I arrived early to get the feel for the place and to steak out a spot at the corner of the stage, not realizing just how insane this show would be. You never know what kind of crowd will be drawn to concerts that headline international stars. Friday nights are known to host a very eclectic crowd from the Ktown Elite, such as Dumbfoundead and Sean Rhee, to the hardcore Illionaire fangirl. The crowd was a sea of diversity, all ready to lose their minds the moment Dok2 and The Quiett stepped on stage.

And boy did they deliver! Dok2 and The Quiett both showed up on stage just before midnight and greeted the suddenly intensely screaming crowd with free hats from Dok2’s new brand, 808 Hats. They fired off hats into the crowd and even a few in the skyboxs above the stage. They greeted the crowd and immediately started cranking out the hits live.

Songs like The Quiett’s “2 Chainz and Rollies” warmed the already hot crowd up as they danced and surged against the stage. It was a packed house singing along to “Profile,” as the rappers hopped around the stage and made contact with fans. Dok2 teased fans by reaching out with his hand and yanking it back while The Quiett stared a few women down, making them instantly scream for more.

by Yasamine Entesari

by Yasamine Entesari

Also on KultScene: Dynamic Duo’s ‘Jam’ Music Video & Song Review

But it was “YGGR” that really fired up the crowd. The entire club shot up their Illionaire signs with their hands in the air and sang along so loud you could barely hear the DJ spinning the track. All in all, it was a hardcore show that was all adrenaline and no downtime. Albeit a short show, ending just after 12:30 a.m. and Illionaire doing a short set of songs. However, no one was complaining because by the time they stepped off stage, we were all spent.

the quiett los angeles illionaire belasco

by Yasamine Entesari

Once the guys were off stage, I decided to head down to the green room and see if I could ask a few questions. Mind you, Illionaire is one of the most hardcore hip hop record labels in South Korea. I wasn’t expecting to even get the chance to see them, let alone meet them and enjoy a few questions while they posed for pictures for us.

“Welcome to LA. How are you liking the city of Angels?” I asked while rifling through my camera bag. “It’s LA,” Dok2 replied and chuckled as he put his phone down. I then mention how he seems to always be hanging out in Hawaii or Las Vegas, to which he told me he actually did come here every month for work and smiled wide. I guess the availability of CHARTER FLIGHTS BETWEEN LOS ANGELES AND HAWAII and vice-versa makes way for worry-free travel for celebrities like Dok2. As I juggle trying to keep my cool, be a professional, and pull out my camera and flash, we talk about future collaborations, to which Dok2 only gives an aloof “We’ll see.”

dok2 los angeles belasco illionaire

by Yasamine Entesari

I quickly lift up my camera to take the shot and both Dok2 and The Quiett go from smiling sweet hearts to thug life in an instant, flashing that Illi sign and looking hardcore. I take a few shots and and thank them profusely. They are so sweet, thanking me back for coming to the show and suddenly we’re in this never ending cycle of compliments and thank you’s until luckily my friend steps up and brings up the big question: why didn’t they bring any Illionaire hats?! Dok2 had a good answer though, they sold out fast. We joked we wanted to give them our money, to which he pointed to The Quiett’s own black Illionaire hat with purple embroidery on it. “You want this one? I’ll sell it to you for $500,” he said. “$500?! Do you take installments?!” I asked in disbelief. But in true Dok2 fashion, he answered, “Nah. Cash only girl.”

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We’re all chuckling as I pack up my stuff and thank them again for their kindness and I tell them how much I enjoyed the show. They smiled the entire time as they sat back down and claimed their phones. It was such a surreal experience. I couldn’t be any more blown away at their down to earth personalities. Dok2 is charismatic and hilarious, while The Quiett is cute and well… Quiet. After meeting them, it’s not hard to believe these two men built the most successful hip hop record label in South Korea. Business is always on their mind.

Check out the rest of the awesome pictures from the show:

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What’s your favorite Illionaire song? Share your picks and overall thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook,Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

Which K-Pop Male Rookie Group Are You? [QUIZ]

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which rookie male group

If anything, 2015 has been the year for rookie male K-pop groups as many fresh groups such as iKON and DAY6 have made their successful debuts. Armed with both youthful energy and high-level performance skills, these groups are likely to become big hits and household names in the K-pop industry in the future. From synchronised dancing to powerful rapping, each group has their own strengths and has showcased their individuality well through their respective releases, earning themselves strong fan bases despite their recent debuts.

Have you ever wondered which rookie male group your personality is most similar to? Here’s Kultscene’s latest quiz to help you find out more about these groups and yourself!

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Also on Kultscene: What K-Drama Cliche Is Your Life? 

What did you think of your result? Did you pick the rookie group that you thought you would? Let us know what other quizzes you’d like to see from KultScene! Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

Artist Spotlight: Burstered

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Burstered

Punk rock is back in a big way with Burstered. If you’ve never heard of this Korean rock band, don’t worry, you’re not alone. I only discovered Burstered when my YouTube autoplay kept going without permission. But I wasn’t disappointed. The Korean music scene is sorely lacking in the rock department, and not since the TRAX’s debut has there been any attempt at putting together an idol rock band. Burstered is the answer to all of our prayers, although calling them idols would be doing them a disservice.

The group first got their name out there back in 2014, when they appeared on “Superstar K6” and made it to the final six. Burstered made a big impact on the show with a unique sound and style that’s not usual in Korea, and their hardcore-hip hop hybrid cover of After School’s “Shampoo” with T.O.V is absolutely outstanding.

Burstered claims on their homepage to be an “emotional rock” band, and features vocalist No Daegun, guitarists Ahn Junyoung and Lee Kyejin, bassist Cha Hwanhee, and drummer Jung Sangyoon.

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Take note, their name is a bit confusing. In Korean, and whenever the band members say their name, it clearly is “Buster Red.” Unfortunately, Burstered has never offered an explanation for the “r” in the first part of their name. We like them well enough anyway.

Burstered debuted formally in February under Evermore Music, whose tagline is “the real music company for the real musicians.” And it doesn’t get much more real than Burstered.

A little less intense than their “Shampoo” cover, Burstered’s debut song “Whenever You Call Me” starts off with a soft melody and then turns into a garage punk rock style song with a cool half-tempo chorus. This song is pretty Korea-friendly, and lacks the screams and wails that Burstered has utilized in other songs that they’ve performed before their formal debut. (The group has numerous song covers on their YouTube page, so check that out.)

The music video for “Whenever You Call Me” is a bit dark until the very end, but has some great cinematic shots of both the plot and the bandmembers themselves. Visually, the music video also bares some similarities to 30 Seconds’ To Mars’ “Kings and Queens,” which makes sense considering vocalist No Daegun credits the group as one of his inspirations on Burstered’s official homepage.

Seriously though.

Also on KultScene: Dynamic Duo’s ‘Jam’ Music Video & Song Review

Although they’ve only been around formally for a bit, Burstered has really made an impression. In August, Burstered appeared on KBS1’s “Concert Feel” and hilariously were introduced by “The Imperial March” from “Star Wars” before the band started playing their own music for the next 45 minutes.

In September, Burstered made a comeback with “Lost Child,” a much more hardcore punk rock song with metal elements that were missing from the group’s debut song.There’s more of an emphasis on the band’s music in “Lost Child” than in “Whenever You Call Me,” with more of a screamo vibe. The new track doesn’t try as hard as the earlier song to fit Burstered into Korean mainstream music.

To match the metalcore style, the music video gets rid of any convoluted plot. Gone are the beautiful shots of “Whenever You Call Me,” and instead we get a vibrant, band-focused music video. The only gimmick is to hide the members faces by mummy-style bandages, as if Burstered is demanding people to listen to their music rather than admire their handsome features, a la the average K-pop band.

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Playlist Sunday: Disco

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kpop playlist clubbing club songs

We all know K-pop is one big umbrella of every genre ever invented (well, most of them). If it’s catchy and you can dance to it, it’s probably been used already by a producer. But this time we’re spotlighting disco, another big umbrella genre that combines pop, funk, soul, and even salsa and that was at its peak in the mid to late ‘70s. K-pop, of course, also pick-and-chooses some elements of disco and combine it with electro pop to make it contemporary. That being said, this week, we’re all about those funky songs that take us on a time warp back to the 1970’s.

Five member girl group Ladies Code transport listeners back in time to the 1970’s with their 2013 hit “Pretty Pretty.” Featuring a funky beat, blaring trumpets, and powerful vocals, the track has great sing-a-long potential. Tongue in cheek lyrics tell how the girls’ beauty sees them hounded by would be suitors, but Ladies Code eventually tire of this constant attention and revert to being ordinary. The colourful and quirky music video, masterfully directed by Digipedi, makes “Pretty Pretty” an amusingly scathing commentary on superficiality.

— Eve

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f(x) had a very disco track in their album “Red Light,” and that was none other than “All Night.” It’s not as upbeat as disco used to be, but the song definitely has that feel and soul of the classic disco era. f(x) has never been afraid to experiment with their music and disco suits them very well. Their vocals sound very sultry thus making the track very sexy. Even their live performances were very sexy. The group promoted this song alongside their title track “Red Light” making this song one of the favorite tracks in the album.

— Alejandro

Uhm Jung Hwa is the queen of K-pop disco, thanks to her 2008 single “D.I.S.C.O.” The title track off her EP, the singer introduced disco music to the late 2000’s, and we’re happy that she did. The dance song takes its influences from, what else? Disco’s funky dance elements. This song is clearly nostalgia-evoking, with reverberated vocals, scritch scratching, and electronic synth elements being the base of the song. BIGBANG’s T.O.P’s rap also includes some of these electro-funk elements, and feels a lot like early BIGBANG raps. Uhm Jung Hwa’s live performances of this song threw even more disco elements, go go boots and all.

— Tamar

Another artist who has made pop disco part of their signature sound is quirky girl group Crayon Pop, and if I have to pick one song that stands out the most to me for it’s funky beat, it’s “Dancing Queen.” Similarly to the other famous “Dancing Queen” disco jam by ABBA, Crayon Pop’s version is also about a young girl who just wants to dance and have fun on the weekend. Packed with disco influence point dances, “Dancing Queen” has an infectious beat that sounds like if they had made a chipmunk version of a typical disco song. It’s very lively and generates a need to get up and dance, which is what disco is all about; having fun and tearing up the dance floor under the disco ball.

— Alexis

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If Uhm Jung Hwa is the queen of disco of her generation, then T-ARA is her younger contemporary. This title is all thanks to their funky 2011 song “Roly Poly,” which featured the genre’s signature synthesised sounds and cowbells as the main backing. But it’s at the music video where the theme is really emphasized, transporting viewers back to the 1970’s when disco really ruled. In it, the girls shamelessly dressed in colorful mismatched prints, high rise pants, and scarves boogie it out to their iconic finger point dance in a club, lit up by, what else, but disco balls. And while the lyrics may be nothing extraordinary (it echoes a typical one-sided love), the vintage “Saturday Night Fever” inspired video was certainly refreshing at the time. Off-of their second mini album “John Travolta Wannabe,” “Roly Poly” is the ultimate Korean disco-pop dance track.

— Shelley

What’s your favorite disco K-pop song? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

Dynamic Duo’s ‘Jam’ Music Video & Song Review

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Rating

dynamic duo choiza review song music video mv

It’s been just over two years since Dynamic Duo‘s last solo offering and they are back with a brand new song and music video, entitled “Jam,” released on November 16th. Amoeba Culture’s Gaeko and Choiza, two of the coolest rappers on the Korean hip-hop scene, have dispensed completely with their sharply dressed and mean and moody image for the video and the results are nothing short of hilarious.

Song

“Jam” is a smooth and sophisticated blend of strings, synthesiser, and funky bass, mixed with understated rapping and a surprising amount of vocal harmonies from the guys. A soulful guitar solo, which wouldn’t be out of place in an Isley Brothers composition, features towards the end of the song, as well as some clever puns based on the names of Big Bang members. Sung in Korean, the English translation of two such examples are as follows: “We’re feeling like we’re on top,” and “my heart breathes fire like a dragon dragon.” “Jam” is such an addictive song, I challenge anyone to listen to it just once.

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Videography

The video opens with a father (Choiza) and son (Gaeko) sitting at a breakfast table, with the latter asking questions about the honey he is spreading on his slice of bread. Intrigued by his father’s response, a conversation ensues which is clearly a euphemism for the “birds and the bees.” As the song begins it cuts short an explanation of how bees make honey and zooms into Choiza’s face on a jar of the spread. We then see an adult Gaeko, resplendent in absurd bee costume, working on a “Honey Jam” production line while daydreaming about cavorting with the girl of his dreams.

The company boss, also a bee and played by Choiza, reprimands him for slacking off and the dejected Gaeko consoles himself with a trip to a nightclub after work. There he finds and flirts with his dream girl (the aptly named Honey Lee), only for her to be stolen away by the ostentatiously wealthy Choiza. During this scene a well observed and affectionate parody of Big Bang’s “Bae Bae” takes place, featuring Gaeko, Choiza, and Crush as the members. The video returns to the setting of the first scene, with the father telling the son to stop fooling around with his food and finish eating it. The boy then cheekily says: “YOU eat it.”

Styling

The video features highly saturated colours, giving it a bold, bright, and cartoonish quality which is Disney-esque in places. The insect costumes are similarly garish, but it is still possible to tell the social standing of each wearer by the individual styling touches. Choiza, for example, is seen as a bee wearing various items of clothing usually associated with the wealthy, such as a bow tie, a tuxedo and a brocade smoking jacket. Gaeko’s bee outfit is utilitarian by comparison, but he attempts a cooler image by donning a pair of red and white rimmed shades to go clubbing in. The Big Bang lookalikes are also presented as bees, but instantly recognisable by their trademark hair and clothing!

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Overall Thoughts

This is Dynamic Duo like we’ve never seen them before and full marks to the guys for giving us the most inventive video of the year so far. Gaeko, Choiza, and their assorted pals clearly had a ball making “Jam,” but not half as much as I had watching it! The music video will stand up to endless repeat viewings, so miss it at your peril.

  • Dynamic Duo "Jam" Music Video
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How did you like “Jam?” Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

Telling Korean History Through The ‘Reply’ Series

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Answer_Me_1988Invoking the past in a way that makes it very much alive is something that the tvN “Reply” series has perfected over the past view years. The newest series, “Reply 1988” premiered earlier this month. As the third reiteration of the “Reply” or “Answer Me” family, there was a lot of hype and expectations surrounding the retro show, and it definitely delivered as a entertaining show. By tugging at the viewers heartstrings, the show weaves in didactic messages to created an image of what South Korea was.

More than just a good drama, the “Reply” series has become a way of introducing modern day Korean history to television audiences, both domestically in South Korea and internationally. Like BBC period dramas a la “Downtown Abbey,” “Reply” has continually acted as a visual textbook, or reminder, of South Korea’s recent past.

[Disclaimer: Slight spoilers are included.]

While period pieces are typically older, “Reply” is always, relatively, new. Many viewers were alive during or shortly after the shows’ timeline and the world doesn’t always seems so different from ours. But South Korea in 1988, 1997, and 1994 was very different than it is now, and the show acts as a guide to many of South Korea’s recent historical triumphs and tragedies.

Also on KultScene: What We’re Watching This November From Korea

By interspersing important moments into the lives of the characters of each “Reply” series, the production team is able to make seemingly remote events seem very much alive and relatable.The oldest series so far, “Reply 1988” is still relatively recent in the sense of history, but feels very removed thanks to the fast paced world that we live in.

But the first two episodes, while hilarity-inducing thanks to late 1980’s fashions and VHS tapes, don’t feel so old. The anticipation of the 1988 Olympics feel very much alive and high school life isn’t so different, even if the teenagers have to do without being glued to their smartphones.

reply 1988 olympics

Similarly, the political and financial struggles of South Korea are also portrayed in ways that are relatable, and yes, informative. The political reality of the day — the first time that South Korea had a true democratically elected leader since the 1960’s– is alluded to multiple times by characters commenting on college-age Sung Bo Ra going to protests.

Thanks to captivating storytelling, someone who has no knowledge of this period in South Korean history is drawn into the period tvN series’ world as if it is current. The previous series, “Reply 1997” and “Reply 1994” similarly bring to light events that are both familiar and historical to South Korean audiences (and likely unknown to many international fans of the series).

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In “Reply 1994,” one of South Korea’s most disheartening years was brought to light. While the country is now one of the wealthiest in the world, South Korea was wartorn in the 50’s, and only intense pushes for progress have helped the country get to where it is today. But in “1994,” the feelings of South Korean dismay following the International Monetary Fund (IFC) crises and the collapse of Sampoong Department Store were brought to the surface, evoking sympathy and renewed concern for the events that occurred nearly a decade before the show in 2013. (Alternatively, the show also renewed interest in South Korea’s 1994 success in soccer with their Red Devils taking to the streets of Seoul).

red devils

If “1988” is (so far) showing an exuberant country dealing with modernization and democracy and “1994” focused on the changing world of modern day South Korea, “1997,” the first series which aired in 2012, was the most familiar to many viewers but at the same time still introduced “retro” elements of K-pop, video games, cell phones, and many of the popular fashion brands of the day interspersed with historical events.

answer1997-00021

As each series presents its story, it showcases a way of life that is familiar to us but disappeared with the fast-paced world hardly blinking an eye. The obsession with “20 Things 90’s Kids Know”-type lists is alive and well, and “Reply” takes it to a new format, educating the viewers of 2015 about all the things we’ve forgotten about the past few decades.

Melodrama and comedy make “Reply” loveable, but it’s also a way to remind the audience of the struggles and success that South Korea has faced over the years. These elements of nostalgia that makes “Reply” popular enough to warrant not one but three seasons, and hopefully more in the future (I’m hoping for a 1999 one, with everyone freaking out about Y2K!)

What do you think about the “Reply” take on history? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and be sure to subscribe to the site and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr to keep up with all of our posts.

B.A.P’s ‘Young, Wild & Free’ Music Video & Song Review

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B.A.P, Young, Wild & Free
It was a painstaking 12 months for B.A.P’s B.A.B.Y’s world wide, but all the frowns were turned upside down when the K-pop group announced their official comeback for November 15th. Fans were on massive pins and needles waiting as teasers were dropped weeks before “Young, Wild & Free” was released. Was the grueling anticipation all worth it? Let’s find out!

Meaning

Even if the sun sets and the darkness comes, keep running til the end.

What’s your goal in life? Happiness? Success? Love? Whatever it may be, there’s no reason as to why you can’t achieve it, that’s what B.A.P is telling us. Maybe you’ll get it right in just one try or maybe you’ll fail 99 times before finally succeeding on the 100th try. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how you get there; the most important thing is that you get there. Don’t let your past failures cast shade on your potentially brighter future. Even if you feel like all the doors of opportunity have closed, just keep knocking because sooner or later one will open up and that’ll be that one that’ll lead you right to where you should be. Read more